With each passing day, we are more aware of the numerous benefits that nature confers upon us.
A team of researchers has found a compound in broccoli that has, according to lab experiments, the ability to mitigate the development of osteoarthritis, the most common form of arthritis. Osteoarthritis starts as in inflammatory reaction in the joints, and these inflammations gradually wear the cartilage between bones in a joint, and because cartilage repairs very slowly, the end result is very painful friction as bones grind against each other.
Osteoarthritis can progress to the point of requiring surgery, but surgery doesn’t eliminate the probability of the replaced joint becoming problematic in the future.
The compound, sulforaphane, has been shown to inhibit a particular enzyme that is associated with the development of osteoarthritis in experiments conducted using lab mice, followed by cow and human cells.
The results, published in the journal Arthritis and Rheumatism, are definitely encouraging for people suffering from osteoarthritis, as sulforaphane can apparently prevent osteoarthritis from becoming even more debilitating, and its intake is as simple as consuming a vegetable. As a matter of fact, the scientists are set to commence clinical trials for patients who are to undergo knee replacement surgery to determine the efficacy of sulforaphane in protecting joints.
Broccoli has the richest supply of sulforaphane, but this sulfur-containing compound can also be found in cabbage, Brussels sprouts, and cauliflower.
Broccoli also contains nutrients such as zinc and potassium, and vitamins including A, K, C, and B. Previous studies have also shown that sulforaphane also displays anti-cancer and antioxidant activities, so even if you do not like the taste, remember all the benefits. They will all come in handy as one ages.
By Matengo Chwanya
Sources: medicalnewstoday/ ctvnews/ time/
Africa Global News Publication
